UI and Utility Workers Union of America Local 470-1 Invest in 2nd Year of Trade Internship Program to Strengthen Utility Workforce
10-week program to provide eight high school seniors from four local technical high schools with hands-on training in overhead and underground linework
Innovative program is critical to building the next generation of lineworkers
ORANGE, Conn. — April 18, 2024 — In celebration of Lineworker Appreciation Day today, United Illuminating (UI), a subsidiary of Avangrid (NYSE: AGR), and in partnership with the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 470-1, announced their investment in the second year of the Trade Internship program, formerly known as the Union Scholars Program. The 10-week paid program will provide eight rising high school seniors from four local technical high schools with hands-on training in the electric utility industry.
"We are excited to once again offer this opportunity for students to delve deeper into our electric operations across our service territory and experience working alongside our Overhead and Underground lineworkers," said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of United Illuminating. "The Trade Internship program is a testament to our commitment and investment to supporting UI's local workforce while creating a pipeline of talented workers with the skills and knowledge required for the job. I am looking forward to watching these students grow and develop over the summer months as well as having the opportunity to see our Trade Internship program expand into through our sister gas companies."
UI team members and Avangrid's Human Resources Department are recruiting and interviewing students from Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden, Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport, Platt Technical School in Milford, and Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia who may be interested in joining the summer internship program. In the upcoming weeks, UI's Senior Manager of Regional Operations Christine Pariseau, Avangrid's Human Resources team, and UWUA Local 470-1 President Moses Rams will collaborate to select eight students to join this year's program. The selected high school seniors will embark on the 10-week program starting in June and concluding in August. Students will receive one-on-one training with the Overhead and Underground lineworkers throughout the program.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to get an up-close look into the electric utility industry," said Moses Rams, Chief Line Crew Leader at UI & President of UWUA Local 470-1. "I'm proud to say I've been with UI for 35 years, and looking back, I wish I’d had an opportunity like this to get my foot in the door within the UI company. This career has brought me a lot of success and happiness, not only in supporting my family but also in providing an essential service for my community. I'm proud to share my story, experiences, knowledge, and passion for the industry with the next generation of utility workers throughout this program."
"Our entire team is eager to begin working alongside these talented young students who have shown a tremendous interest in wanting to learn more about the utility industry," said Christine Pariseau, UI's Senior Manager of Regional Operations. "We've designed the program to provide students with an up-close look at what a career as a lineworker is like daily. We work during the hottest days and coldest nights to provide our customers with reliable and resilient service. We're excited to allow these students to experience it first-hand alongside our team members, and we are confident they will be well-equipped to pursue a long-lasting career in the utility industry."
"We have a strong partnership with the four local technical high schools participating in the Trade Internship Program that we've been working with to share professional opportunities," said Elcira Pérez, Program Manager of Talent Acquisition, People Talent Development & DEI at Avangrid. "The internship is just another recruiting avenue for us to build a relationship with our future workforce to begin mentoring and growing their skill sets so they are prepared to pursue a career at UI. Throughout the summer internship, we are committed to ensuring the students gain valuable skills while ensuring everyone goes home safely at the end of each day. We're eager to begin providing students with hands-on training experience while empowering them to become leaders in shaping a brighter, sustainable future for all."
The students' first week on the job will be at the Trumbull Training Yard, where they will review the safety protocols when handling equipment. In the second to ninth week, students will be working out in the field alongside UI’s lineworkers. Each week, program leaders will aim to connect the students with line crews doing operations and maintenance work in their own communities such as Hamden, Bridgeport, Milford, and Ansonia. The interns will spend the tenth week of the program at the Trumbull Training Yard, creating a hands-on demonstration showing what they learned throughout the program. On the last day of their internship, students will invite their family and friends to watch their final presentations and receive their certificate of completion of the Trade Internship program.
For more information on the first year of the program, formerly known as the Union Scholars Program, visit:
Avangrid’s First Class of Lineworker Interns Graduate from Industry-Leading Union Scholars Program
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Media Contact:
- Sarah Wall Fliotsos
swall@uinet.com
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